A Trip to North & South India – Behind the Scenes

Testimonial – Maria Perezinha, Brazil

HI! Regarding our last trip to India we can write about the exotic natural as well as charming beauty of Bangaram Island which can easily be compared with any other such beautiful island! The rest of our tour in India with Nivalink was also excellent in which, we should emphasize about the hotels, resort and house-boat, all were according to our expectation. Finally, we were really happy during the trip and recommend to all of our friends & relatives. And we wish to visit India again with you very soon!!

Region

North and South India

Background

Maria was arriving to India all the way from Brazil. As an exchange student, she visited India many years ago and now she was arriving for a wedding of her close friend and wanted to explore India thereafter. She was travelling with her family of 4 (with her husband and two teenage kids).

Challenge

Having planned travel many times for US, European and Australian guests, we have some idea on travel styles, preferences and pace. However, planning an India vacation for a Brazilian family (visiting India for a wedding) was a challenge. The wish list included North India (Amritsar Golden Temple), Taj Mahal (Agra), Kerala and Bangaram (remote Indian Ocean island) off the coast of South India. The idea was to combine pilgrimage, heritage, culture and adventure (scuba diving).

The Process

We realised at the start that the time difference between Brazil and India would make communication a little difficult. So, we started WhatsApp conversations where within the 16-hour windows that we had during the day, we could converse freely.

Connecting flights and creating a seamless flow has always posed a problem with so many sectors involved. Bangaram Island had flights only thrice a week (to Agatti) and from North India, there was no direct connectivity, so, one had to get into transit stays and plan in a way that none of the days in transit seemed boring.

At the end, the backwaters of Kerala, cultural experience of Kerala, remote islands of Lakshadweep (including Bangaram), spiritual experience of the Golden Temple and the awesome heritage character of Taj Mahal provided for a memorable trip that was unlike anything back home in Brazil and one, that will be spoken about to a lot of fellow Brazilians in the years to come. We have a steady inflow of Brazilians arriving to India thanks to the references of Mrs Perezinha.

Final Itinerary

Delhi arrival – Amritsar (1 night) – Agra (2 nights) – Jaipur (2 nights) – Cochin (1 night) – Bangaram (4 nights) – Alleppey (2 nights) – Fort Cochin (2 nights) – Departure from Delhi